Histochemical ATPase detection in arterial myocytes with regard to their contractile differentiation

ATPase activity of arterial medial smooth muscle cells in rabbits at different postnatal age was studied. At earlier periods the reaction was very weak in the media. This was followed by intensification after which it continues to be diffuse. Parallel electron-microscopic studies revealed a contractile differentiation which coexists with the activity of the 2 enzymes.